Everything You Need to Know About Popular Treatments in Cosmetic Dentistry

The ability to smile confidently and without hesitation is something we lovingly refer to as having a ‘beautiful smile.’ Those who struggle with dental imperfections due to disease, genetics, or age may feel overwhelmed by their lack of self-confidence.

That’s when cosmetic dentistry can help many restore their teeth to tip-top condition. They can help with the following:

• Worn down teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Discoloration

And more. You can get perfect teeth alignment with cosmetic dentistry in just a few short appointments and get ready to flash those pearly whites.

If you want to understand what is cosmetic dentistry and explore its types, read on!

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving and enhancing the appearance of teeth and smiles. It uses a variety of treatments and procedures to improve the color, shape, size, and alignment of teeth, as well as close gaps between them. These treatments may include veneers, crowns, teeth whitening, reshaping, bonding, and implants. Here’s a close look at different types of cosmetic dentistry treatments:

1. Teeth Whitening 

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that helps lighten your teeth shade. This treatment can remove stains and discoloration caused by food, drinks, or other environmental factors. Teeth whitening treatments use a bleaching agent to penetrate the enamel of your teeth and break down the molecules that cause discoloration.

The most common type of teeth whitening treatment is in-office, where you visit your dentist for an appointment and have the procedure done directly in the office. This usually involves applying a special gel that contains hydrogen peroxide to your teeth and then using an ultraviolet light or laser to activate it.

2. Composite Bonding 

Composite bonding is another cosmetic dentistry procedure used to improve the aesthetics of your smile by repairing chips, cracks, gaps, or other minor imperfections on your teeth. During this procedure, a tooth-colored composite resin material is applied directly onto the affected tooth and sculpted into a shape as if it were clay.

Composite bonding can help:

• Repair chips in front teeth that may have been caused by trauma or decay.
• Close gaps between front or back teeth.
• Change the shape of misaligned teeth.
• Cover up existing discolorations.
• Replace old silver fillings.

3. Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored material designed to cover the front surface of your teeth. They’re typically used to correct chips, cracks, discoloration, and other imperfections on the teeth. Dental veneers can also close gaps between your teeth and make them look more even and symmetrical. To get dental veneers, you’ll have to consult with your dentist about what kind of results you’re looking for. Then, they’ll take an impression of your teeth and make a model of them so they can design the veneers.

4. Tooth and Gum Contouring

Tooth and gum contouring is a cosmetic dentistry procedure used to reshape or resize your teeth or gums to improve their appearance. In some cases, it can also fix minor bite issues or reduce overcrowding in your mouth.

The process involves removing small amounts of enamel from the teeth or soft tissue from the gums to create a more balanced smile. During treatment, your dentist may use lasers or other tools to carefully reshape your teeth and gums. Afterward, you may need additional treatments, such as bonding or whitening.

5. Braces and Crowns 

Braces and crowns are both used for cosmetic and restorative purposes. Braces are metal brackets attached to the front of each tooth to straighten them over time using steady pressure applied by arch-wires or elastics.

Unlike traditional braces, which involve metal brackets attached directly to the front of each tooth, invisible braces use clear plastic trays that snap onto each tooth instead.

Crowns are also known as caps because they fit over existing teeth like hats. They can be made of porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys such as gold or silver, or even a combination of these materials.

Rounding Up

Cosmetic dentistry is a conservative and quick way to enhance your smile and improve the condition of your teeth.

With treatments like in-office teeth whitening, bonding for reshaping and enamel repair, and custom-made porcelain veneers that can be optimally color matched to your existing teeth, you have options to help you reach your oral care goals. And if you want to know how much different procedures cost, call us and set up an appointment to day in El Monte at Angel Dental. Easy to get to, easy to work with. (626) 444-2002 today!